Shawarma Khan, the long-awaited shawarma restaurant of Canadian Football League offensive lineman Obby Khan, officially opened its 225 McDermot Ave. location this past Monday, Jan. 21.

The buzz about Khan opening a shawarma spot first started in April 2012 when the former Blue Bomber announced his plans to retire and open a restaurant in Winnipeg.

After a short stint in retirement, Khan signed with the Calgary Stampeders, but still resides in Winnipeg.

“I wanted to introduce healthy, fresh and flavourful Middle Eastern food to mainstream Winnipeg,” Khan says. 

Khan had been thinking about a master plan for two years and acquired the help of two chefs, one who hails from Tunisia and another who is a high school buddy and culinary graduate, to help him make his dream a reality.

Why shawarma?

“Simple, it’s delicious and there is nowhere in Winnipeg to get a good shawarma,” Khan says.

If you’re unsure of what shawarma is, let’s break it down.

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish made of marinated meat (typically chicken, beef or lamb) that is slowly cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

Similar to a Greek gyro, the meat is thinly shaved off, wrapped in a pita and accompanied by fresh, unique toppings like pickled turnips and tasty sauces like hummus, tahini or garlic sauce.

Shawarma has become a fast food staple for university students and late-night club-goers in Montreal and Toronto, but has yet to gain much popularity in Winnipeg, with only Shawarma Time and Baraka Bakery serving up shawarma.

“They are mom and pop shops,” Khan says, referring to his shawarma competitors. “I’m doing something different. I want this place to be delicious, fast and modern.”

Emphasis on “modern.” Located in the heart of the Exchange District, the restaurant’s bright, contemporary and trendy décor separates it from the city’s other shawarma options.

Khan designed the entire layout himself and enlisted the help of S3 Interior Design Inc. to help execute his vision.

Still, the menu is the main attraction.

In addition to chicken, beef and lamb shawarma, Shawarma Khan offers vegetarian options like the falafel platter and tabbouleh (salad). 

All platters are accompanied by rice, garlic potatoes, hummus, pita bread and choice of salad. 

Khan is passionate about serving halal meat in his restaurant.

Halal is an Arabic word that means “permissible” according to Islamic law.

In terms of halal meat, there are certain preparation guidelines, one being that the animal must have been fed a natural diet that did not contain any animal by-products.

“As a practicing Muslim, I wanted to open a spot that I was proud of both religiously and ethically,” Khan says. “Our meat is locally sourced, free range and hormone free.”

In the next couple years, Khan plans to open four more locations across the city, two of which he hopes will be located in the Bombers new home, Investors Group Field. 

“The city of Winnipeg has been great to me and I plan on bringing something new and diverse to this city that I hope people will enjoy,” Khan says.

Visit www.shawarmakhan.com and follow @ShawarmaKhanWPG on Twitter for restaurant specials and updates.

Published in Volume 67, Number 17 of The Uniter (January 23, 2013)